Letters to the Editor (Nov. 7)

County not ready for Tyson plant

How ridiculous, county commissioners saying they do not know enough about Tyson to make a decision on bringing a chicken processing plant. Makes me wonder how they research any subject being considered. Why can’t they at least say, “We have heard about problems, so we will investigate further.”

Also, I do not like my commissioner saying we sound racist talking about immigrants doing the jobs. We are not anti-immigrant. We only point out that Sedgwick County must prepare for educational and social programs, infrastructure, etc. When immigrants join our community, we want them to get the services they deserve; but is the county ready to provide them? Education? English as a second language? Social benefits for workers receiving less than livable wage? Affordable housing?

I do not want this Tyson plant in my or my neighbors’ backyards, not as interpreted by my commissioner but because of the water, air and noise pollution; increased traffic; failure of Tyson regarding OSHA/EPA requirements, failure to treat farmers fairly, and animal cruelty with factory farming.

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Restaurant owners are what’s right with city

The Greater Wichita Ministerial League represents many Christian congregations across the city. At our monthly meeting Thursday, we offered prayers for Ranya Taha, the owner of Petra Restaurant that burned during the early morning hours Wednesday.

As faith leaders and pastors, preachers of the good news of Jesus’ love and light, we stand in solidarity and support of Taha and her husband, Bashar Mahanweh. They are strong community leaders, excellent business people and faithful peace-builders in our city, working hard to provide an authentic, high-quality restaurant and valuable participation in cross-cultural dialogue and education.

We commend Taha on her upbeat, positive comments to the media, graciously offering the benefit of the doubt as she suggested that “this is most likely an isolated incident.… I don’t think anybody should be scared.”

She and her family represent the best of what Wichita has to offer. Along with Taha, we are committed to continuing the work of bringing our beloved city together, to overcome evil with good and meet hate with love.

Lois Harder, Wichita

What being a Kansan is about

I don’t live in Kansas anymore. But I love Kansas, its history, and its people. And my heart bleeds for those whose restaurant was burned down recently. I’d like to share some words with my fellow Kansans who may be struggling to find solidarity at this time:

Dear Kansans, if you wear anything with a Jayhawk on it, but aren’t in a hurry to protect black lives, you’re doing it wrong.

If you’ve ever dined in an establishment containing a painting of John Brown or drank out of a bottle labeled Free State, but aren’t extremely upset about what happened with the Wichita restaurant fire, you’re doing it wrong.

If you herald our no-nonsense politicians who made us the only state in the Union to legally oust the KKK, but your blood isn’t still boiling after Charlottesville, you’re doing it wrong.

And if you like bragging about being the childhood home of Clark Kent, but you are otherwise inhospitable to newcomers, you clearly do not belong in Kansas. I suggest you go back to wherever you were before the tornado dropped you here.

Alexandra Johnson,

Astoria, N.Y.

Letters to the Editor

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